YouTuber Who Filmed Viral Confrontation With Armed CT State Trooper Pleads Not Guilty To Felony

A YouTuber who confronted a Connecticut State Trooper outside the officer’s residence earlier this month and garnered widespread attention in a now-viral video has entered a not guilty plea to one felony and two minor charges.

In a now-viral YouTube video, SeanPaul Reyes faced an armed Connecticut State Trooper Sgt. Brian Fahey on July 11. The two have a tense past together. Reyes was taken into custody by Groton police following the incident.

This video, which SeanPaul Reyes uploaded on July 11, depicts his altercation with Connecticut State Trooper Sgt. Brian Fahey.

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On July 11, Trooper Sgt. Brian Fahey was confronted outside of his Groton residence by SeanPaul Reyes, 34, of Gorham, New York. As the two yelled obscenities at one another, the video of the confrontation shows an armed Fahey spitting in Reyes’ face.

Reyes cameraman Tahiem Glover, 20, of Selden, New York, was also taken into custody and accused.

In a YouTube video broadcast following his arrest on Friday, July 25, Reyes referred to the accusations of voyeurism, trespassing, and breach of peace as unlawful and illegitimate. Outside the New London Superior Court, a number of Reyes supporters showed up with posters that read, “Bad Cops Get Good Cops Killed.”

Reyes started a GoFundMe page to raise money for his legal defense. It raised almost $47,000 as of Saturday afternoon.

Long Island Audit is a YouTube channel that Reyes manages. Advocates characterize auditors as citizen reporters who push the boundaries of the First Amendment. Critics claim they sabotage official tasks in order to gain internet influence.

According to Reyes, he addressed Fahey about what he perceived to be excessive usage of overtime. He arrived at the trooper’s residence with a billboard that was broadcasting video from an earlier altercation between the two.

In the 33-minute video, Reyes knocks on Fahey’s door and requests an explanation for the accusations of wrongdoing. Fahey orders him out and goes back inside his house.

Reyes calls Fahey a coward and leaves, but the trooper comes back with a weapon in his hand and starts talking to 911 dispatchers.

As they continue to curse at each other, Fahey chest pushes Reyes down the driveway. The trooper spits in Reyes’ face at one point.

Fahey asserts in the video that he seized his firearm out of fear for his safety after Reyes made a death threat against him in an internet post. Reyes disputes the assertion.

Following the altercation, Reyes was taken into custody by Groton police. He appeared in court on Friday and was released on $75,000 bond. He can’t get in touch with Fahey or his family.

In cooperation with Groton Police, the Connecticut State Police acknowledged that it had begun an internal inquiry. Fahey is still working for the department.

Due to Connecticut law requiring the infliction of physical injury, Groton police declined to charge Fahey with assault for spitting. But they informed Reyes that it is illegal to spit on an officer.

In line with department procedure after significant incidents, the Groton Police Department said in a statement that it would carry out a comprehensive evaluation of its reaction to the incident.

According to a story from CT Insider, Reyes is also suing Fahey in federal court, claiming that the trooper violated his civil rights during a 2021 arrest after Reyes recorded TSA agents at Bradley International Airport.